FIFA 2026: Messi hat-trick powers Argentina past Algeria, equals World Cup scoring record

Captain Lionel Messi delivered another landmark performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals in defending champions Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria as the reigning champions opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding win in Kansas City.

The Argentine captain made history by becoming the first footballer to appear in six FIFA World Cups. He marked the occasion with a hat-trick that also saw him draw level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

Messi completed his treble in the 76th minute with a powerful left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area, bringing his tournament tally to 16 goals. Earlier in the day, France forward Kylian Mbappe had moved to 14 World Cup goals after scoring twice against Senegal, briefly narrowing the gap to the Argentine great.

The 38-year-old, who turns 39 next week, received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 80th minute, moments after achieving another milestone in his remarkable career.

Argentina looked in control from the outset, although both sides had early goals ruled out for offside. Messi thought he had opened the scoring within five minutes after lifting the ball over goalkeeper Luca Zidane, only for the effort to be disallowed. Algeria’s Fares Chaibi also had a goal chalked off shortly afterwards.

The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute when Rodrigo De Paul threaded a precise pass through the Algerian defence. Messi collected the ball in space and curled a superb finish into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Zidane with little chance.

The goal made Messi only the second player, after Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to score in five different World Cup editions.

Algeria enjoyed slightly more possession during the match but struggled to create clear opportunities and failed to register a shot on target. Their best opening came shortly before halftime when Anis Hadj Moussa drove into the penalty area and tested Argentina’s defence, but the move ultimately came to nothing.

Messi doubled Argentina’s advantage in the 60th minute, reacting quickest after Zidane parried a long-range effort from Alexis Mac Allister. The veteran forward pounced on the rebound and calmly slotted the ball into the net.

His third goal sealed both the victory and another place in football history, as Argentina began their Group J campaign in emphatic fashion while Messi once again proved decisive on the sport’s biggest stage.